erik
telescope surgeon
Reged: 01/30/04
Posts: 24019
Loc: Hawaii 19 N lat -155 Long.
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i've been trying to decide whether i want to convert my meade split tube dob into a truss, but in considering some of the trade offs, i had chosen to leave it as is. however, i was thinking that maybe a split tube truss dob would be the way to go. what i mean by that is to have two separate sections with short trusses on each section. the two sections would be connected using my current split tube shafts. doing this would allow me to continue to transport the ota without taking it completely apart. also, it would enjoy the benefits of a truss dob (faster cooldown, better looking), and have short 2 foot long trusses, instead of longer 4 foot trusses, which are a bit more cumbersome with a small car. also, i was thinking that because the sections would be so short, i may be able to get away with installing 4 or 5 truss tubes on each section vertically, instead of the usual truss design. do you think this idea is feasible? after building my base, i'd like something a bit less ugly sitting on top of it... 
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-Erik Wilcox
Homebuilt 16" Truss Dob
SV 80mm ED Nighthawk NG on M1 ALT/AZ
Nikon Prostaff 65mm spotter on Trekpod
Konusvue 20x80 binos/Peterson pipemount
Orion 10x50 binos
Homebuilt 80mm f/5 refractor
Mirador 60mm f/12 1960's refractor
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rboe
Numbfinger
Reged: 03/16/02
Posts: 39737
Loc: Phx, AZ
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You know those really inexpensive camp chairs the fold up into a little tube? Think of two of those that attach head to tail to get your full length tub. You will only have two parts to worry about (and there will your truss affair so the structure will be stiff). The folding blocks may be diffecult to fab but I bet Mark could be a help here (or just buy the chairs and make them work out).
Well, maybe it will give you a better idea...
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Ron
NS11GPS
Pronto
16" dob
15X70 Obies
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erik
telescope surgeon
Reged: 01/30/04
Posts: 24019
Loc: Hawaii 19 N lat -155 Long.
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i'm not familiar with those chairs, ron. where do they sell them, at a sporting goods store like big 5 or copeland's? i'll see if i can do a search for them, that idea sounds interesting...
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-Erik Wilcox
Homebuilt 16" Truss Dob
SV 80mm ED Nighthawk NG on M1 ALT/AZ
Nikon Prostaff 65mm spotter on Trekpod
Konusvue 20x80 binos/Peterson pipemount
Orion 10x50 binos
Homebuilt 80mm f/5 refractor
Mirador 60mm f/12 1960's refractor
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rboe
Numbfinger
Reged: 03/16/02
Posts: 39737
Loc: Phx, AZ
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I see them all over. Target, Popular - on the net. I'd try Target. Now I'll see if I can find one and post a link. They are usually $8. Wal-mart has them too.
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Ron
NS11GPS
Pronto
16" dob
15X70 Obies
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rboe
Numbfinger
Reged: 03/16/02
Posts: 39737
Loc: Phx, AZ
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This chair is pretty typical of the lot. Some are a lot fancier.
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Ron
NS11GPS
Pronto
16" dob
15X70 Obies
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erik
telescope surgeon
Reged: 01/30/04
Posts: 24019
Loc: Hawaii 19 N lat -155 Long.
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thanks for the link, ron! that looks intersting. i'm going to check those out in person. my brain is whirling now...
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-Erik Wilcox
Homebuilt 16" Truss Dob
SV 80mm ED Nighthawk NG on M1 ALT/AZ
Nikon Prostaff 65mm spotter on Trekpod
Konusvue 20x80 binos/Peterson pipemount
Orion 10x50 binos
Homebuilt 80mm f/5 refractor
Mirador 60mm f/12 1960's refractor
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rboe
Numbfinger
Reged: 03/16/02
Posts: 39737
Loc: Phx, AZ
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Funny thing is, the ones with arm rests and holes for a beverage make pretty good star party chairs. The lounge varity would make good binocular chairs.
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Ron
NS11GPS
Pronto
16" dob
15X70 Obies
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Tom L
Reged: 01/07/04
Posts: 29817
Loc: Sunny Oregon
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I've seen some interesting designs along the lines of what you describe. There is a scope design on Royce's site that is similar to what you aredescribing (I think, if I understand you correctly). I'll go find it and add the link here....be right back.
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Tom 
Tele Vue 102mm f/8.6 on an EzTouch
Vixen 80mm f/5 A80SSWT on a grab-n-go mount
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Tom L
Reged: 01/07/04
Posts: 29817
Loc: Sunny Oregon
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There is Mark's scope, which is awesome. He is a member of CN and posted a thread here in ATM about his scope:
http://www.rfroyce.com/amateur_telescopes_modpics_hodson_m.htm
Mark (Mickels) is also prominently displayed on Royce's website also!
I couldn't find the one I was looking for, but it is similar to Mark's that I posted the link to.
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Tom
Tele Vue 102mm f/8.6 on an EzTouch
Vixen 80mm f/5 A80SSWT on a grab-n-go mount
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erik
telescope surgeon
Reged: 01/30/04
Posts: 24019
Loc: Hawaii 19 N lat -155 Long.
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very cool! thanks for posting that link, tom. so, the trusses are actually from the chair, is that right? seems like a lot of weight, but i haven't seen those chairs in person yet, so i guess the aluminum tubing can handle it? sure beats spending $400 on truss tubes and connectors...
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-Erik Wilcox
Homebuilt 16" Truss Dob
SV 80mm ED Nighthawk NG on M1 ALT/AZ
Nikon Prostaff 65mm spotter on Trekpod
Konusvue 20x80 binos/Peterson pipemount
Orion 10x50 binos
Homebuilt 80mm f/5 refractor
Mirador 60mm f/12 1960's refractor
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rboe
Numbfinger
Reged: 03/16/02
Posts: 39737
Loc: Phx, AZ
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I think a good deal of the weight on the chairs is from the fabric. They will hold a good size person so you should not have issues there.
I'm thinking you may want to have a ring between the two truss assemblies to act as a mount point and as a spreader.
Considering the length you have to make up you may have to make your own truss assembly and just use the chair as your proto-type to copy the little tube blocks - or use three or four chairs!
It could be a camp-newt. 
As I think this over, attaching the bearings may be a challenge. A bearing ring may be in order if you don't use a plywood cage like most dobs. Hmmmm....
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Ron
NS11GPS
Pronto
16" dob
15X70 Obies
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MMICKELS
Aluminum Knight
Reged: 01/20/04
Posts: 25192
Loc: The Land of Shake and Bake
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Erik, can you make a sketch of your idea?
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Mark
"The only thing wrong with immortality is that it tends to go on forever."
Herb Caen
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erik
telescope surgeon
Reged: 01/30/04
Posts: 24019
Loc: Hawaii 19 N lat -155 Long.
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yeah mark, i'll do that today and post it.... ron, i was definitely thinking of wooden "rings" where the sections attach together...
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-Erik Wilcox
Homebuilt 16" Truss Dob
SV 80mm ED Nighthawk NG on M1 ALT/AZ
Nikon Prostaff 65mm spotter on Trekpod
Konusvue 20x80 binos/Peterson pipemount
Orion 10x50 binos
Homebuilt 80mm f/5 refractor
Mirador 60mm f/12 1960's refractor
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Relativist
Post Laureate
Reged: 10/11/03
Posts: 3026
Loc: OC, CA, USA
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Quote:
yeah mark, i'll do that today and post it.... ron, i was definitely thinking of wooden "rings" where the sections attach together...
At this point I would suggest spending your time doing something else, like maybe pimping out some of those bases & bearings on astromart so you can fund this: premium TScope TYPE-3 frame: $2275
It will actually be cheaper for you since you have a moonlight already.
......Curtis
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.......Curtis
20mm T2 Nagler, 10mm SW 82degrees, 5-8 SW Zoom:
All of the above replaced with WO Binoviewers!!!
Siebert OCA 1.25x-3.5x
10" OPT Starhunter (flocked & upgraded focuser)
10x50 & 15x70 Celestron Bino's
2" 2x GSO Barlow
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erik
telescope surgeon
Reged: 01/30/04
Posts: 24019
Loc: Hawaii 19 N lat -155 Long.
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thanks curtis, but i enjoy the tortur, uh, i mean, pleasure of building my own stuff. ... those t-scopes sure do look nice. are you sure you don't work for that company?
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-Erik Wilcox
Homebuilt 16" Truss Dob
SV 80mm ED Nighthawk NG on M1 ALT/AZ
Nikon Prostaff 65mm spotter on Trekpod
Konusvue 20x80 binos/Peterson pipemount
Orion 10x50 binos
Homebuilt 80mm f/5 refractor
Mirador 60mm f/12 1960's refractor
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jwaldo
Smart Mime
Reged: 04/26/04
Posts: 3506
Loc: SoCal
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This thread got me thinking about camp chair trusses (again), so I brought out a camp chair and examined it (again). It would make a nice truss except for:
1: the corner brackets are plastic
2: the tubes are riveted to the brackets
That doesn't seen like the sturdiest option. However, if you made new corner brackets, drilled out the rivets, and attached the tubes to the new brackets, it would make a nice truss. As soon as I figure out how to make a new bracket I'll give it a try
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-Jim
DHQ 8"
C102 w/ upgraded focuser
ZenithStar 66 ED Triplet
DSH 6"
Transporter 70
Sears 60/900mm
10x50's & assorted other binos
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Tom L
Reged: 01/07/04
Posts: 29817
Loc: Sunny Oregon
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Erik, is the Meade tube made of metal or cardboard? Have you considered "removing" material in a lattice-type design that still has structural integrity? Your jigsaw could do it, but it would be a major commitment to the design.
Don't forget that a certain woodworker in San Jose offered to let you into his shop...and I bet Craig could teach you a lot!
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Tom
Tele Vue 102mm f/8.6 on an EzTouch
Vixen 80mm f/5 A80SSWT on a grab-n-go mount
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erik
telescope surgeon
Reged: 01/30/04
Posts: 24019
Loc: Hawaii 19 N lat -155 Long.
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thanks tom... it's made of sonotube, and that's something i'd originally considered. but it's not really the weight that bothers me. maybe i'm a bit shallow, but i think the white meade tube is a bit, uh, ugly . so i like the idea of a truss, but have i turned into a scope snob?
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-Erik Wilcox
Homebuilt 16" Truss Dob
SV 80mm ED Nighthawk NG on M1 ALT/AZ
Nikon Prostaff 65mm spotter on Trekpod
Konusvue 20x80 binos/Peterson pipemount
Orion 10x50 binos
Homebuilt 80mm f/5 refractor
Mirador 60mm f/12 1960's refractor
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Relativist
Post Laureate
Reged: 10/11/03
Posts: 3026
Loc: OC, CA, USA
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Quote:
thanks curtis, but i enjoy the tortur, uh, i mean, pleasure of building my own stuff. ... those t-scopes sure do look nice. are you sure you don't work for that company?
LOL, no but I really want one, hasn't someone accused you of working for Orion in the past? Ed's supposed to be working on a kit for a 16" mirror, that would be nice also.
......Curtis
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.......Curtis
20mm T2 Nagler, 10mm SW 82degrees, 5-8 SW Zoom:
All of the above replaced with WO Binoviewers!!!
Siebert OCA 1.25x-3.5x
10" OPT Starhunter (flocked & upgraded focuser)
10x50 & 15x70 Celestron Bino's
2" 2x GSO Barlow
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rboe
Numbfinger
Reged: 03/16/02
Posts: 39737
Loc: Phx, AZ
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Ohhh, ugly you say. then perhaps the campchair approach is not for you. I just thought you didn't care how it looked otherwise I wouldn't have mentioned it. 
Then again, being a snob has it's upside too. 
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Ron
NS11GPS
Pronto
16" dob
15X70 Obies
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